Fatal all-terrain vehicle crashes: injury types and alcohol use
- PMID: 19201149
- DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2008.11.019
Fatal all-terrain vehicle crashes: injury types and alcohol use
Abstract
Background: Since the 1990s, West Virginia has led the U.S. in the per-capita death rate from all-terrain vehicle (ATV) crashes, with rates eight times the national average and continually increasing. A comprehensive assessment was conducted of ATV fatalities to provide critical guidance for community interventions and public health policy to prevent further deaths.
Methods: In 2007, death certificates for 2004 to 2006 with ICD-10 codes correlating to ATV crashes were used to identify decedents involved in crashes occurring in West Virginia. Data were abstracted from medical examiner records regarding crash circumstances, sustained injuries, and toxicology.
Results: During 2004-2006, a total of 112 fatal ATV crashes were identified. Nearly all (92%) decedents were the ATV operator, and only 15% were known to have worn helmets. Among 54 traffic crashes, collisions (56%) and head injuries (65%) predominated, whereas the majority of 58 nontraffic crashes were rollovers (55%) and were most commonly associated with compression injuries of the thorax and abdomen (36%). Regardless of crash class (i.e., traffic versus nontraffic), alcohol was detected in the blood of 50% of decedents; of those, 88% had blood alcohol concentrations >OR=0.08% (mean=0.17%), West Virginia's legal limit. Drugs of abuse were identified in 21% of decedents, including marijuana (11%); opioid analgesics (7%); diazepam (6%); cocaine (2%); and methamphetamine (1%).
Conclusions: Fatal crash and injury types differ significantly depending on the location of ATV use, although alcohol and drug abuse are frequent risk factors in all types of ATV crashes. In addition to promoting helmet use, interventions are needed to address alcohol use among ATV users.
Similar articles
-
All-terrain vehicle fatalities--West Virginia, 1999-2006.MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2008 Mar 28;57(12):312-5. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2008. PMID: 18368006
-
All-terrain vehicle crash factors and associated injuries in patients presenting to a regional trauma center.J Trauma. 2007 Nov;63(5):994-9. doi: 10.1097/TA.0b013e31814b91fe. J Trauma. 2007. PMID: 17993941
-
All-terrain vehicle crashes and associated injuries in north Queensland: findings from the Rural and Remote Road Safety Study.Aust J Rural Health. 2009 Oct;17(5):251-6. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1584.2009.01086.x. Aust J Rural Health. 2009. PMID: 19785677
-
A review of risk factors and patterns of motorcycle injuries.Accid Anal Prev. 2009 Jul;41(4):710-22. doi: 10.1016/j.aap.2009.03.010. Epub 2009 Apr 18. Accid Anal Prev. 2009. PMID: 19540959 Review.
-
Is there a pattern in European bus and coach incidents? A literature analysis with special focus on injury causation and injury mechanisms.Accid Anal Prev. 2005 Mar;37(2):225-33. doi: 10.1016/j.aap.2004.03.006. Accid Anal Prev. 2005. PMID: 15667808 Review.
Cited by
-
Alcohol Consumption and 15 Causes of Fatal Injuries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Am J Prev Med. 2022 Aug;63(2):286-300. doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2022.03.025. Epub 2022 May 15. Am J Prev Med. 2022. PMID: 35581102 Free PMC article. Review.
-
The characteristics of all-terrain vehicle (ATV)-related deaths: A forensic autopsy data-based study.Forensic Sci Med Pathol. 2018 Dec;14(4):509-514. doi: 10.1007/s12024-018-0014-7. Epub 2018 Oct 11. Forensic Sci Med Pathol. 2018. PMID: 30311068
-
Vehicle-related injuries in and around a medium sized Swedish City - bicyclist injuries caused the heaviest burden on the medical sector.Inj Epidemiol. 2017 Dec;4(1):4. doi: 10.1186/s40621-016-0101-8. Epub 2017 Jan 23. Inj Epidemiol. 2017. PMID: 28116658 Free PMC article.
-
Substance exposure and helmet use in all-terrain vehicle accidents: Nine years of experience at a level 1 trauma center.J Safety Res. 2016 Dec;59:61-67. doi: 10.1016/j.jsr.2016.09.006. Epub 2016 Oct 13. J Safety Res. 2016. PMID: 27847000 Free PMC article.
-
Video intervention changes parent perception of all-terrain vehicle (ATV) safety for children.Inj Prev. 2016 Oct;22(5):328-33. doi: 10.1136/injuryprev-2015-041880. Epub 2016 Feb 5. Inj Prev. 2016. PMID: 26850471 Free PMC article.
Publication types
MeSH terms
LinkOut - more resources
Full Text Sources
Medical
Research Materials